69 L88 distroyed by fire

[Houston U.]

The local Fire Marshal is located in the same building I work. He asked for my opinion on a 1969 Vette destroyed by fire. Victim claims the 69 is an all original L88 (I have not confirmed this yet). Victim states that while driving home, his dash lights went out. Eventually getting car into garage at home. Later that evening, he was checking headlight switch and while doing so, he lost all lights. Next day he removed switch and eventually the dash was pulled out and laid open (not removing completely). He checked wires and all seemed fine. He went into house for lunch and after 30 min. he returned to garage to find the interior totally engulfed in flames. With the garage door closed, couldn't get car out before it was totally destroyed. Has anyone experienced such a situation or heard of pass episodes? Fire Marshal is questioning story. Thanks

[Tom M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I Like To Know Which Car It Is , More Info

Yes, Electric Fire Are Not Un Heard Of

[Michael W.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Corvette fires caused by bad wiring are not rare unfortunately. Genuine, all original L88s being driven on the street are very rare.

[Jack H.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Plus, it's a well known fact that the Delco Remy headlight switch has a built-in circuit breaker that INTENTIONALLY switches the instrument panel lamps OFF when there's a short circuit condition that would render the car driving without rear lamps. This is to warn the driver of a critical malfunction that could result in rear end collision damage.

It sounds like the owner of the '69 wasn't familiar with Chevrolet electrical safeguards. The insurance company might have an 'out' for his negligence in ignoring the tell tale warning sign of severe electrical failure and trying to diagnose the problem(s) himself!!!

[Steve B.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I hope that the car was not a real 69L88.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

The local Fire Marshal is located in the same building I work. He asked for my opinion on a 1969 Vette destroyed by fire. Victim claims the 69 is an all original L88 (I have not confirmed this yet). Victim states that while driving home, his dash lights went out. Eventually getting car into garage at home. Later that evening, he was checking headlight switch and while doing so, he lost all lights. Next day he removed switch and eventually the dash was pulled out and laid open (not removing completely). He checked wires and all seemed fine. He went into house for lunch and after 30 min. he returned to garage to find the interior totally engulfed in flames. With the garage door closed, couldn't get car out before it was totally destroyed. Has anyone experienced such a situation or heard of pass episodes? Fire Marshal is questioning story. Thanks

Houston,

I have had that nightmare. My headlight switch wiring rubbed on the sheet metal edges of the dash and went up in smoke. The fuse link under the hood surrendered and saved the total burnup. I was with the car and at the time, did not have a battery disconnect switch.

Mine survived.

[Donald T.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Sounds like a great example of why it is so important to always use a battery cut off switch anytime the car is not in use. Hopefully this wasn't a real L88.

[Tom H.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Real L88 or not, it is a shame a Corvette was lost. The car could have been saved quite easily. The first thing to remember on these old cars is to always shut the battery power off, like the previous poster mentioned. Read the first line in most all service manuals. "UNHOOK NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE"

[Bill M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

The local Fire Marshal is located in the same building I work. He asked for my opinion on a 1969 Vette destroyed by fire. Victim claims the 69 is an all original L88 (I have not confirmed this yet). Victim states that while driving home, his dash lights went out. Eventually getting car into garage at home. Later that evening, he was checking headlight switch and while doing so, he lost all lights. Next day he removed switch and eventually the dash was pulled out and laid open (not removing completely). He checked wires and all seemed fine. He went into house for lunch and after 30 min. he returned to garage to find the interior totally engulfed in flames. With the garage door closed, couldn't get car out before it was totally destroyed. Has anyone experienced such a situation or heard of pass episodes? Fire Marshal is questioning story. Thanks

I saw a C3 burn to the ground. The car was stopped on a dark main street in Dearborn, MI when I first saw it; this was NOT a place you would leave a car unless it was undriveable for some reason (no lights, engine died?) There was smoke in the interior, then you could see flame thru the door handle (it is still full dark). By the time the fire department arrived, it was totaly engulfed. I believe the owner. Hope this helps.

[Jim T.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

This loss is a incintiive to have fire extinguishers in the home and garage. The negative battery cable on my C3's are so easy to disconnect for electrical work, just a 5/8 wrench on the negative cable frame connection below the battery box, takes about a minute. My C3's stay disconnected if the car is not going to be driven daily.

[Duke W.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

This a good time to remind all that the first step prior to doing any electrical work is: DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!!

Duke

[David D.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

This a good time to remind all that the first step prior to doing any electrical work is: DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!!

Duke

Extremely good advice.....It's probably obvious to most, but don't take a chance. The downside risk(s) are to great.

David

[Steven B.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

For those of you who use battery cut offs which do you think are best, knife or rotary switch?

[David D.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I prefer and have the rotary installed. I can take the knob off and take it with me. I've also never had any problems/issues with the rotary, EXCEPT sometimes forgetting to disconnect. (Old man brain Fahrt)

David

[Tom M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

The local Fire Marshal is located in the same building I work. He asked for my opinion on a 1969 Vette destroyed by fire. Victim claims the 69 is an all original L88 (I have not confirmed this yet). Victim states that while driving home, his dash lights went out. Eventually getting car into garage at home. Later that evening, he was checking headlight switch and while doing so, he lost all lights. Next day he removed switch and eventually the dash was pulled out and laid open (not removing completely). He checked wires and all seemed fine. He went into house for lunch and after 30 min. he returned to garage to find the interior totally engulfed in flames. With the garage door closed, couldn't get car out before it was totally destroyed. Has anyone experienced such a situation or heard of pass episodes? Fire Marshal is questioning story. Thanks

Did you find more info on car ?
L88 ???????